Dean Ashton was an unused substitute as Fabio Capello's side were 2-0
winners against the US
29.05.2008
Dean Ashton will have to wait a little longer for his long-awaited England
debut after being an unused substitute in the 2-0 friendly win against the
United States at Wembley on Wednesday night.
The West Ham United striker, who scored five goals in eight matches to end
the Premier League campaign, will hope to figure when Fabio Capello takes
his side to Trinidad and Tobago for the last friendly of the 2007/08 season
on Sunday. Ashton has twice been in England squads before - a friendly
against Greece in August 2006 and then for European Championship qualifiers
against Estonia and Russia last October - only for injury to end his chances
on both occasions.
Many neutral observers had expected Ashton to start at Wembley in a game
played in front of 71, 233 fans but the role of Wayne Rooney's partner went
to Jermain Defoe. The West Ham United academy product, now at Portsmouth,
was eventually replaced in the second half by Peter Crouch before Rooney
himself departed with 12 minutes to play for Joe Cole. England's goals on
the night came from John Terry in the 38th minute, from David Beckham's
free-kick, before Steven Gerrard finished off a superb pass by Gareth Barry
just before the hour.
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Collison shines, Bellamy back - WHUFC
Jack Collison has made yet another step forward with his first start for
Wales as Craig Bellamy returned
29.05.2008
Jack Collison has become the fourth full Welsh international at West Ham
United after winning his first cap in the 1-0 win away to Iceland on
Wednesday night as Craig Bellamy made a long-awaited return.
Collison, still only 19, was named in John Toshack's starting lineup to
complete a memorable campaign for club and country. First, he played a full
part in Alan Curbishley's pre-season plans last summer before being
appointed captain of Kevin Keen's reserves. After promising form, he earned
the first of five Wales Under-21 caps and then made his first team debut
away to Arsenal on New Year's Day. He got his first start at Bolton
Wanderers in April before his latest step forward.
Collison, who joins club-mates Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Bellamy as
members of the Wales senior set-up, turned in a lively 60-minute display
including some decent efforts on goal before being replaced by fellow
Under-21 prospect Owen Tudor Jones. By then, Toshack's team were winning
thanks to a sublime backheeled goal from Ched Evans just before half-time.
Evans had entered the fray just three minutes before as a replacement for
former West Ham United midfielder Carl Fletcher, who was captaining the team
in Reykjavik.
Usual Wales skipper Bellamy, meanwhile, made his long-awaited playing return
for the first time since getting 22 minutes as a substitute away to Wigan
Athletic on 2 February. Bellamy is returning to fitness after an abdominal
injury and played for the last 28 minutes against Iceland. His appearance,
which included some good late runs that tormented the home defence, has
fuelled hope that both he and Collison will figure in Sunday's high-profile
friendly away to Euro 2008 hopefuls the Netherlands in Rotterdam.
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Sears and Tomka play their part - WHUFC
England are close to reaching the UEFA U19 finals in July after their second
straight win in qualifying
28.05.2008
England 1-0 Serbia
England need just a point from their final qualifier to make sure of a place
at the 2008 European U19 Championship after a 1-0 win against Serbia in
Borisov on Wednesday afternoon.
A solitary second-half strike from Reading midfielder James Henry made it
two wins from two after a Freddie Sears double on Monday had ensured a 2-0
victory against Poland. England finish their campaign on Saturday against
mini-tournament hosts Belarus, and the home nation's 1-0 defeat of Poland
later on Wednesday still means they could finish ahead of England on the
head to head rule with a victory in Minsk. A point will be good enough for
the Young Lions, who have yet to concede a goal thanks in large part to the
defensive form of James Tomkins.
Were England to lose their final game, Serbia could also finish with six
points like Brian Eastick's side and Belarus and the final group standings
would come down to head to head results between all three teams. The winners
of the section will ultimately take their place in the July finals in the
Czech Republic alongside the hosts, holders Spain, Germany, Hungary,
Bulgaria and two other nations to be determined later this week.
England: David Button, Curtis Obeng, James Tomkins, Krystian Pearce, Joe
Mattock, Scott Sinclair, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Cork (c), James Henry, Freddie
Sears, Andy Carroll
Subs: Ryan Bertrand, Jason Steele, Jamie Chandler, Ciaran Clark, Danny
Welbeck, Josh Walker.
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West Ham confident of Ashton deal - BBC
Ashton joined West Ham from Norwich for £7.25m in 2006 . West Ham are
confident striker Dean Ashton will commit his future to the club by signing
a new long-term deal. Ashton, 24, has recently been linked with a move to
Newcastle, Portsmouth and champions Manchester United. But West Ham chief
executive Scott Duxbury said: "The talks so far have been very positive. "We
are meeting with Dean and his representatives in the early part of next week
with the aim of concluding a new long-term contract." Ashton, who was
included in the latest England squad, scored three goals in his last three
matches of the season. He was set to make his England debut two years ago,
only to suffer a serious ankle injury in training that sidelined him for a
year.
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Hammers youngsters win again - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 28th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Sears and James Tomkins were both involved as England's under 19s
won their second game inside three days. The United duo both played 90
minutes as Brian Eastick's side overcame a tough Serbian side 1-0 in Minsk,
to follow on from their 2-0 success oveer Poland on Monday. The game was won
by a second half effort by Reading's James Henry, meaning that a win for
England against hosts Belarus on Saturday afternoon will ensure they qualify
for the European U19 Championships, to be held in the Czech Republic.
England under 19s: David Button, Curtis Obeng, James Tomkins, Krystian
Pearce, Joe Mattock, Scott Sinclair, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Cork (c), James
Henry, Freddie Sears, Andy Carroll.
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Bellamy on comeback trail - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 28th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Craig Bellamy is set to win his 50th cap for Wales tonight as he continues
his rehabilitation. The United striker made just nine appearances for the
Hammers last season after signing from Liverpool in a £7.5m deal, due to a
string of injuries. But the 27-year-old former Coventry striker has been
finding his feet again recently. Ahead of the FA Cup Final he trained
extensively with beaten finalists Cardiff whilst more recently he has been
working out in the Vale of Glamorgan alongside a club physio who has been
monitoring his progress. Bellamy could be partnered by fellow Hammer Jack
Collison tonight when the Welsh face Iceland in Reykjavik. Welsh boss John
Toshack has promised to experiment with his side which could be good news
for the young Hammer.
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Crew to be confirmed? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 28th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to announce their second North American fixture imminently,
according to reports. The Hammers are touring North America at the end of
July in preparation for the 2008/09 Premier League season, and it is
expected that the club will add a second date to the already-confirmed clash
with the MLS AllStars on July 24th. That opponent is tipped to be Columbus
Crew, who are based in Ohio. The Crew, who are members of the MLS play their
home games at the Columbus Crew Stadium, which has a capacity of 22,500.
Columbus feature just one English player in their squad, 23-year-old
defender Andy Iro who moved to the US in his teens. They are currently
second in the Eastern Standings behind leaders Chigaco Fire.
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Ashton talks rumble on - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 28th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
A second round of talks between West Ham and Dean Ashton have ended without
a deal being struck. However the club remain confident that a deal will be
done soon, with CEO Scott Duxbury telling the club's website: "The talks so
far have been very positive. "We are meeting with Dean and his
representatives in the early part of next week with the aim of concluding a
new long-term contract." The two parties met initally on May 16th. Meanwhile
rumours that Ashton is set to leave for pastures new continue to surface -
no doubt due to the current impasse.
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Hammers hope for Ashton deal - SSN
Striker expected to put pen-to-paper by the start of next week
Last updated: 28th May 2008
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury is confident 'positive talks' held
with Dean Ashton will see the striker agree a new long-term contract at
Upton Park next week. Ashton suffered for form at the beginning of last
season as he underwent a lengthy rehabilitation period following the broken
ankle he sustained on international duty in August 2006. However, the
24-year-old - who is expected to start for England in the friendly against
USA on Wednesday - recaptured his early Hammers pedigree towards the end of
the campaign as he fired three goals in the final trio of games. And that
form has reportedly made Ashton a top summer target for Manchester United,
Newcastle and Portsmouth, but Duxbury is optimistic Ashton will remain at
Upton Park. "The talks so far have been very positive," said Duxbury, who
opened contract discussions at the end of the season. "We are meeting with
Dean and his representatives in the early part of next week with the aim of
concluding a new long-term contract." Ashton joined West Ham in January 2006
in a £7.25million move from Norwich and last season he scored 11 goals in 35
appearances.
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Taking the Michael - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 28th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for American international Michael
Bradley. The midfielder, currently based in Holland with Heerenveen is said
to be interesting a number of Premier League clubs including the Hammers. He
is set to feature for the USA tonight when they take on England at Wembley.
Bradley, 20, began his professional career with the MetroStars (now known as
the New York Red Bulls) in 2004. A year later he became the youngest MLS
player to be transferred to a European team when he was snapped up by
Heerenveen for an undisclosed fee. His first year in the Dutch league
proved to be an enormous success; Bradley went on to score nearly 20 goals
from the centre of the park. Rated at around £4m, Bradley is said to be
interesting the likes of Middlesbrough and Blackburn along with the Hammers.
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West Ham confident Dean Ashton will extend contract - Telegraph
Telegraph staff and agencies
Last Updated: 3:27pm BST 28/05/2008
West Ham are confident Dean Ashton will sign a two-year contract extension
next week. The 24-year-old striker has two years left on his current deal
and is thought to be a transfer target for Newcastle and Portsmouth, while
Manchester United are also reported to be monitoring him. "The talks so far
have been very positive," said West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury. "We
are meeting with Dean and his representatives in the early part of next week
with the aim of concluding a new long-term contract."
Initial talks opened at the end of the season after Ashton had scored three
goals in his last three appearances, taking his tally for the campaign to
11. His form led to a call-up into Fabio Capello's England squad, just short
of two years since he was denied an England debut by a serious ankle injury
suffered in training. Ashton is not among West Ham's top earners, but is
seen as an important part of their plans for next season. Meanwhile, Craig
Bellamy, Ashton's strike partner, believes his best years are ahead of him.
The temperamental Wales international has struggled in recent seasons, but
is determined to put things right. "I am not coming back just to hopefully
be good at this level," Bellamy said. "I want the next couple of years to be
the highlight of my career and to do that I have got to work so hard."
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West Ham United confident of Dean Ashton deal
Dean Ashton
Times Online and Agencies
West Ham say they hope to agree a new long-term deal for Dean Aston, the
England striker, at the start of next week.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract and clubs such as
Newcastle United and Portsmouth are thought to have shown an interest.
Manchester United were also reported to be monitoring his progress.
Scott Duxbury, West Ham's chief executive, said: "The talks so far have been
very positive. We are meeting with Dean and his representatives in the early
part of next week with the aim of concluding a new long-term contract."
Ashton scored three goals in his last three appearances for the club, taking
his tally for the campaign to 11, and talks about his contract began at the
end of the season. His form led to a call-up to Fabio Capello's England
squad, just short of two years since he was on the verge of his England
debut only to suffer a serious ankle injury in training.
Alan Curbishley is keen to pair the England forward with Craig Bellamy in
attack, and although the Welshman missed most of last season through injury,
the former Liverpool striker remains hopeful he can get back to his best.
"I am not coming back just to hopefully be good at this level," Bellamy
said. "I want the next couple of years to be the highlight of my career and
to do that I have got to work so hard."
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Toshack pleased with Bellamy return - teamTalk
Wales boss John Toshack welcomed back captain Craig Bellamy for his first
international since October with as much relief as joy in Iceland. The
injury-jinxed West Ham striker appeared for the final 28 minutes of the
impressive 1-0 friendly win in Reykjavik on Wednesday night, earning his
50th cap. Bellamy now seems certain to be back leading his country in a much
more difficult game in Rotterdam against Euro 2008-bound Holland on Sunday.
Bellamy last played senior football for a mere 20 minutes as a substitute
for the Hammers at Wigan in February. But he had been troubled with groin
problems since Wales' win in San Marino last October. A stomach operation
followed and Bellamy's season was all but ended, until last night's run-out
in Iceland. With stand-in skipper Carl Fletcher on his way home after
suffering ankle ligament damage against Iceland - and with Simon Davies out
of the trip with ankle problems - Bellamy's final game of the season will be
leading his country against the Dutch. Teenager Ched Evans bagged the winner
just five minutes after coming on as substitute for Fletcher for his debut.
But it was Bellamy's appearance that delighted Toshack just as much as
Evans' scoring debut. Toshack said: "That's six games unbeaten and we have
used another batch of youngsters. Ched did very well but I was so pleased to
see Craig back on the pitch. "He has been a very unlucky boy with injuries
and we have certainly missed his Premier League quality. "I just hope he now
has one more game in him and then goes away for a nice summer break,
hopefully to return to pre-season training at West Ham raring to go. We need
him as much as they do."
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Hammers keep an eye on Rangers front man - Guardian Series
WEST Ham are reportedly keeping tabs on Rangers star Daniel Cousin as they
seek to boost their forward options for next season. The Gabon
international's agent claims that the player is ready to quit Ibrox and is
attracting the interest of a "number of Premier League clubs". Fulham are
certain to rekindle their interest in the 31-year-old after being denied
that chance in January. Then, FIFA blocked the move because the player had
already represented two clubs, Lens and Rangers, in the same season and
could not play for a third. Newcastle are also said to be keen to secure
Cousin's services. And the powerful frontman's agent Willie McKay revealed
that his client would love a dream move south of the border. "I would expect
Daniel to leave Rangers this summer and he is still very interested in a
move to England," McKay told skysports. "He was disappointed when the move
to Fulham in January was blocked, but he showed what a real professional he
was by returning to Rangers and scoring a few important goals for them. "He
would love the chance to play in the Premier League and there is interest
from a number of clubs."
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Lanzafame set for West Ham Move - Cmon Yu Irons
Posted by Mike DiAntoni
The Amauri deal involving Lanzafame who will be part owned by Palermo and
Juventus has taken a sudden twist, it is now believed that Juve and palermo
will agree a deal to let Lanzafame take advantage of a season long loan at
West Ham, where he will achieve Premier League status and then like Tevez,
he may attract the attention of larger Premier League clubs. West Ham may
get first option to buy Lanzafame after the loan, but only if the price and
wages are agreed. Lanzafame has been quoted by the media saying that West
Ham United would be his 1st choice of team for the new season.
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Bellamy determined to make big West Ham impact
tribalfootball.com - May 28, 2008
Craig Bellamy is determined to make a big impact for West Ham United next
season. "I am not coming back just to hopefully be good at this level,"
Bellamy told West Ham's website. "I want the next couple of years to be the
highlight of my career and to do that I have got to work so hard."
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Hull's Brown excited about facing West Ham
tribalfooball.com - May 28, 2008
Hull City defender Wayne Brown admits he's excited about facing boyhood
idols West Ham in next season's Premiership. "I was a West Ham fan as a kid
and playing at Upton Park would be special after watching them as a kid
growing up in Ilford," he told the East Anglian Daily Times. "But then every
game in the Premier League is special. That is where everyone wants to play.
"It is where the best players in the world are and hopefully I will get the
chance to play against those players."
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West Ham rival Fulham for Rangers striker Cousin
tribalfooball.com - May 28, 2008
West Ham United are eyeing Rangers striker Daniel Cousin. The Hammers and
Newcastle are being linked with Cousin, who is seeking a move to England.
Fulham are certain to rekindle their interest in the 31-year-old after being
denied that chance in January.
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